In response to my posting of Jill Max’s editorial in Haaretz on Monday, Jan Channon, mother of a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army, wrote the following:

Dear Jill,

I read your article this morning: “Israel has what the US Lacks.” At first, I was furious with the title but as I read the entire article I appreciate what it was that you are saying and I wish you you would try to make these points in our American press as well.

You see, our son just returned from BOLC (Basic Officer Leader Course) which is the course all officers must take as they begin their careers in the US Army.  He is now a 2nd Lieutenant trained as a Chemical Corps. Officer with expertise to disarm and attend to any Chemical, Biological, and Nuclear attack either here or as part of a deployed unit. The course was a four month long training program which was very challenging, and required intense study while living alone on a military base, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO.

Your article had a very emotional impact on me since you put into words much of what I have been thinking and feeling of late.  And I plan to read your article at our family bar-b-que tonight.  This is especially acute in the Jewish world but across the entire US spectrum.  A very small percentage of our population serve in our military. There is a total lack of understanding of our military, why people serve, and what the sacrifices are that the US service people make compared to other nations.  For example, in Israel the soldiers often come home each Shabbat. Not so for Americans.  They often serve far away from home and even train far away.

The challenges they face are far greater in many ways.  Furthermore in the Jewish world most Jews have never been on a military base.  They do not even know anyone who serves in our military.  There is still a very strong anti-military value system that permeates the Jewish communities such that when your child enters that life many do not even want to know about it.  Furthermore, while my son was working hard to become an officer during college ROTC others were partying each night on college campuses.  There is a total disconnect that is especially acute in the Jewish world.

My hope is that you will give this some thought and write more on this subject. As Jews, it is important that we have deep connections to Israel.  But we also enjoy great freedoms in this country that we cannot have in places like Europe now. We cannot take that for granted and we cannot experience that on the backs of others.  We should know and understand the military here, and be part of the institution that protects us and assures that freedom.

Sincerely,
Jan Channon
Chicago, IL